Safety Light Helmet

ABSTRACT

The Safety Light Helmet is a helmet with a light on it. The light is affixed to the top center of the helmet for 360 degree visibility by other riders/vehicles whose coming or going passed the helmet wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application for a patent and is not based onany pending domestic or international applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a safety light helmet, andmore particularly to a helmet having a lighting fixture which breakswithout protruding from the exterior shell of the helmet upon an impactin the event of a collision.

Safety is amongst one of the greatest concerns to people who participatein motorcycling, bicycling, skateboarding, dirt biking, and any othersports which may require protective gear to be worn by riders. This isespecially true given the proximity of riders on or around busy roadsand highways. The wearing of a safety helmet while participating inthese activities is an important safety measure taken by riders toreduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are well-known means of protection wornby riders to protect head during collisions. Helmets have been improvedto conform better to the rider's head and provide a greater degree ofprotection.

However, there exists a need for additional measures to be taken toprevent accidents from occurring in the first place. It is alsoimportant that any preventive measure not take away the effectivenessand functionality of the protective mechanism.

The attached light enhances the visibility to surrounding vehicle ridersand pedestrians. Whether the final embodiment contains a flashing,constant, or intermittent lighting scheme, the use of the device willreduce accidents by putting others on notice of the exact location ofthe rider. It may also serve as a back-up safety mechanism if aheadlight or taillight were to fail while the rider is on the road.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,587 to Marni Hurwitz entitled“Illuminated Safety Helmet” discloses a battery-poweredelectroluminescent strip adhered to the top exterior surface of thehelmet;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,429 to Walter Johnson entitled “Flashing LightSafety Device for Cyclists Helmets” discloses a flashing light mountedatop a cyclists' helmet to provide 360 degrees of visibility;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,588 to Louis Garneau entitled “Safety Helmet forCyclists” discloses a streamlined, aerodynamically contoured safetyhelmet with light device anchored into an external shell cavity locatedin the lower end portion of the helmet;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,369 to Mario Vega entitled “Helmet with SafetyLight” discloses a helmet with a safety light disposed within a cavityon the back exterior portion of the helmet's shell.

However when a light is affixed to a safety helmet, problems oftenencountered include a compromise of the existing aerodynamics,aesthetics, or safety functionality of the helmet. An external light mayadd bulkiness, which may compromise aerodynamic efficiency, ridercomfort and overall aesthetics. More notably, the addition of a lightmay reduce the effectiveness of the helmet in preventing head injury.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,429 features alight affixed to the topof the helmet with an elevated position giving the rider visibility inall directions. However there is the possibility that in the event of acollision wherein the top of the helmet is the first point to contactthe pavement, another vehicle, or some other fixed object, the lightfixture will be forced upon impact through the top portion of the helmetshell thereby harming the rider. Additionally, the elevated position ofthe light on top of the helmet could affect secondary considerationssuch as aerodynamic qualities and aesthetic appearance of the helmet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the need for a safety helmet thatprovides illumination but does not compromise the safety function,aerodynamic quality and aesthetic appearance of the helmet.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a safety helmetcomprising an exterior shell; a cylinder affixed to the exterior shell;a light unit positioned within the cylinder; a bored hole; and a capdisposed inside the helmet; wherein the cylinder is positioned throughthe bored hole and attached to the cap.

In another embodiment, the cylinder is made of hard plastic materialthat breaks upon impact in the event of a collision.

In another embodiment, the cylinder is attached to the cap by threadedscrew grooves.

In another embodiment, the bored hole has a metal ring fitted around itscircumference, and the inner diameter of the metal ring is comparable tothe outer diameter of the cylinder.

In another embodiment, the cap is made of hard plastic.

In another embodiment, a thin plate or washer overlays the cap toprevent the cylinder from protruding beyond the cap upon impact.

In another embodiment, a cushion overlays the cap to provide comfort andincreased protection.

In another embodiment, the cylinder is detachable from the helmet.

In another embodiment, the light is positioned at the top, center of thehelmet to provide 360 degrees of visibility.

In another embodiment, a rubber seal overlays the exterior of the lightto prevent moisture

In another embodiment, the light may be powered by a battery or a wirerunning from a power source located on the user or on the transportationwhere the user is situated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is best understood with reference to the drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 shows an outside view of an example of a safety light helmet ofthe present invention with a safety light installed.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a safety light of the present invention.

FIG. 3, panel a) shows a side view of an example of the safety light ofthe present invention prior to installation into a helmet. Panel b)shows a top view of an example of a safety light of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed structure of an example of a safety light helmetof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, a new safety light helmet employing theprinciples and concepts of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will bedescribed.

FIG. 1 shows an outside view of a safety light helmet 10 with a safetylight 22, alight switch 24, and a rubber seals 23 installed. From thisview, one is able to gain a greater appreciation for the spatialorientation of the safety light 22 on top of the helmet 10.Geometrically, the safety light 22 blends into the exterior surface ofthe helmet. The positioning of the safety light 22 is such that thehelmet does not lose any of its aerodynamic or aesthetic qualities whilestill providing 360 degrees of visibility to surrounding vehicles andpedestrians. A light switch 24 is disposed on the side of the safetylight 22 above the light base. The light switch 24 may be horizontallydisposed in the center of light when viewing the light from its rightside. A rubber seals 23 lines the exterior of the safety light 22 toprevent moisture from getting inside the fixture.

The configuration of the light 22, rubber seal 23, metal washer 18, cap16, and cylinder 12 is better understood with reference to FIG. 2.Reference numeral 12 shows the cylinder within which the light unit ispositioned. The cylinder 12 is made of had plastic and designed so thatit breaks upon impact in the event of a collision. Thread grooves linethe outer circumference of the cylinder 12 in order to provide meansthrough which the cylinder 12 may be attached to the cap 16 on theinside of the helmet 10. An underlying thin metal plate or washer 18 islocated at the bottom of the cap 16 to prevent the cylinder 12 fromprotruding beyond the cap upon impact.

FIG. 3 shows aside view of an example of the safety light of the presentinvention prior to installation into a helmet as well as an example ofatop view of a safety light of the present invention. From this view,one is able to gain a greater appreciation of the configuration of thelighting unit with respect to the helmet shell. As illustrated by FIG.3, panel a) the cylinder 12 is positioned through the bored hole 14 inthe helmet shell to engage the cap 16 disposed inside the helmet 10. Thelength of the cylinder 12 and depth of the bored hole 14 will vary withrespect to the thickness of the helmet shell. Threaded grooves on theexterior of the cylinder 12 and the interior of the cap 16 allow for thecylinder 12 to engage the cap 16 by way of screwing the two partstogether. The method of screwing the two parts together would requireone to position the cylinder 12 through the bored hole 14 and match thecylinder 12 with the cap 16. The bored hole 14 may also have a metalring fitted around its circumference. The metal ring has an innerdiameter, comparable to the outer diameter of the cylinder 12, withinwhich the cylinder 12 will be positioned. FIG. 3 a also exemplifies theease of detachability of the safety light 22 from the helmet 10. Bymerely unscrewing the cylinder 12 from the cap 16 the user is able todetach the light from the helmet 10.

FIG. 3, panel b) shows atop plan view of the safety light 22. The meansfor lighting may consist of, but is not limited to: light-emittingdiodes (“LEDs”), 12-volt powered bulbs, battery powered bulbs or someother power source located on the user or on the user's mode oftransport if applicable. Furthermore, the lighting pattern may includeflashing, constant, or intermittent lighting schemes.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed structure of an example of a safety light helmetof the present invention.

The foregoing written description of the invention is to be consideredan exemplification of the invention, thereof those of ordinary skillwill understand and appreciate the existence of variations,combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, andexamples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by theabove described embodiment, method, and examples, and provide for allembodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention asclaimed.

1. A safety helmet comprising an exterior shell; a cylinder affixed tothe exterior shell; a light unit positioned within the cylinder; a boredhole; and a cap disposed inside the helmet; wherein the cylinder ispositioned through the bored hole and attached to the cap.
 2. The safetyhelmet of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is made of hard plastic materialthat breaks upon impact in the event of a collision.
 3. The safetyhelmet of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is attached to the cap bythreaded screw grooves.
 4. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein thebored hole has a metal ring fitted around its circumference, and theinner diameter of the metal ring is comparable to the outer diameter ofthe cylinder.
 5. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the cap is madeof hard plastic.
 6. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein a thin plateor washer overlays the cap to prevent the cylinder from protrudingbeyond the cap upon impact.
 7. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein acushion overlays the cap to provide comfort and increased protection. 8.The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is detachable fromthe helmet.
 9. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the light ispositioned at the top, center of the helmet to provide 360 degrees ofvisibility.
 10. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein a rubber sealoverlays the exterior of the light to prevent moisture.
 11. The safetyhelmet of claim 1, wherein the light may be powered by a battery or awire running from a power source located on the user or on thetransportation where the user is situated.